After a big day of hiking and exploring Fiordland, no doubt you will have worked up an appetite. We’ve put together a list of some of our favourite places to eat in Te Anau where you can relax and unwind after a day of adventures.

The Fat Duck – Delicious Kiwi fare

Located at the entrance to the quaint town of Te Anau The Fat Duck is a cozy and inviting restaurant delivering delicious kiwi fare with a focus on using local produce. A popular spot among locals and tourists alike, so be sure to book so you don’t miss out.

 

With a full dinner menu on offer there is something for everyone, but if you’re looking for a drink and a snack you can also choose to sit in the bar area and enjoy something from their tapas style menu. They also offer daily happy hour, big-screen tv, free wi-fi and a children’s menu. 

Redcliff Café –  A local favourite

A firm favourite among locals, this is the place to be on a summer evening, sipping on a glass of wine while watching the sun go down. Set in an early settlers cottage, the atmosphere is cozy and charming with the walls filled with local memorabilia from Milford Sound, Fiordland National Park, Lord of the Rings and Te Anau.

Redcliff Café prides itself on serving up “simple but tantalising food with a definitive kiwi essence”. The menu is filled with local produce like wild Fiordland venison and Stewart Island Salmon. If you’ve come for the atmosphere and the drinks they also offer a great snack menu and the deserts will leave you salivating.

After a day exploring Milford Sound this is the perfect place to relax and unwind.

Sandfly Café – Cabinet treats to die for

If you’re looking for a café for breakfast or lunch or need something to put in your pack for a day of hiking you can’t go past Sandfly Cafe. Home to superb coffee, a great all-day menu, a range of delicious and varied cabinet food, this is the place you will find the locals catching up for a coffee – so you know it’s good.

With plenty of indoor and outdoor seating it’s a great spot for families to fuel up before a day of activities or a quick coffee stop before you head to Milford Sound. 

The Ranch – Good honest casual dining

The Ranch Bar & Grill is located in the centre of Te Anau and is a family-owned business which has been operating for over 25 years. They offer good honest casual dining – hearty meals at a great price. If you’re passing through on a sunday this is the place to stop for a delicious Sunday Roast.

The Moose – Classic Kiwi pub grub

Situated right on the lake The Moose is your classic kiwi pub serving up good honest kiwi pub grub. Family owned and operated you will be sure to meet some of the Te Anau locals here enjoying a drink after a busy day at work.

Ristorante Pizzeria Paradiso –  The best pizza in town

Ask a local where you should get Pizza and we can guarantee they will all give you the same answer. Serving up delicious wood-fired pizzas since 2011, Pizzeria Paradiso is always busy so we recommend you book ahead, particularly in summer.

Sit close to the pizza oven so you can watch the pizza chefs at work. If you have dietary requirements don’t fret, they offer dairy free mozzarella and gluten free bases so no one will miss out on the best pizza in Te Anau. They strive to use organic ingredients, and source local produce where possible. This is comfort food done right.

Ditto – Delicious Asian inspired street food

Their story started with a food truck serving bao buns and now the team from Bao Now have opened up Ditto located on the main street of Te Anau. Offering up ‘south-meets-east’ Asian fusion fare, featuring dishes loaded with flavour, packed with freshness, and good for the soul.

 

Enjoy bao buns, sushi bowls, dumplings and so much more. Choose to sit in or on a beautiful Te Anau evening grab some takeaway and sit and enjoy on the lakefront as the sun goes down.

Miles Better Pies – The best pies in Southland

There should be a rule that in every small New Zealand town if they have a local pie shop then you must try it. In Te Anau ‘Miles Better Pies’ offers up 16 varieties of this kiwi classic ranging from the classics like mince and cheese and venison to their own creation the ‘taco pie’. If you need a quick eat on your way to Milford or a an afternoon snack after a day in the hills, Miles Better Pies sell a variety of pies, pasties, sandwiches, homemade cakes and slices.

Sprig & Thistle – Caravan coffee at it’s best

The new guy in town, Sprig and Thistle operates out of the most beautiful vintage caravan that is full to the brim with coffee, smoothies, cold drinks and freshly made savouries and sweets. Located at The Key on the edge of state highway 94, we highly recommended stopping here on your way into Te Anau – and on your way out! (currently closed for winter)

Radha’s Indian Restaurant – Some of the best curies we’ve had

While in Southland we always recommend you trying some local dishes like blue cod and wild venison sometimes after a big day of exploring you just want a good curry, and you won’t get much better than Radha’s. Radha’s Indian Restaurant serves authentic Indian food, all their meat is certified halal and their naan bread’s and meat are cooked in a traditional Tandoori oven. Dine or takeaway is available to suit your dining needs.

The Alpine Centre and cafe – The best value fish and chips in town

Located just on the outskirt of Te Anau, The Alpine Centre offers delicious food for both dine in and take away. A great spot to stop for a coffee their cafe offers a large selection of “Grab n Go” food and also breakfast and lunch meals. We recommend their fish and chips to take away, sit and enjoy them lakeside. If you’re tired after a big day they will deliver all orders over $25.